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Marshawn Kneeland is reported to have told his family goodbye following his death on Thursday morning, per police dispatch audio. The audio, which was obtained by TMZ Sports, reveals the Dallas Cowboys player bid farewell to his family in an apparent mental health episode. In the audio, Texas police can be heard talking to Kneeland’s girlfriend and relayed that there was concern Kneeland would “end it all.” RELATED: Dallas Cowboys player with Michigan ties died from self-inflicted gunshot wound after pursuit, police say RELATED: Detroit Lions remember former WMU star, Cowboys DL as ‘special kid’ The Texas Department of Public Safety announced Thursday morning that Kneeland died of a “self-inflicted gunshot wound.” “We’re talking to the girlfriend, she’s trying to call the agent, so we’re trying to get her to call him first but she’s saying he is armed and has a history of mental illness and her quote was, ‘He will end it all,’” the dispatcher said. The dispatcher also stressed concern to local DPS, stating that Kneeland was “armed.” “You all do me a favor, everybody stay with somebody looking alone, this guy is armed,” the person said. The audio also stated that Kneeland texted his family “goodbye.” “…I just received a group text from him saying goodbye, they’re concerned for his welfare, they do not have a key to the apartment,” another dispatcher said in the clip. Local police responded to a concern at Kneeland’s residence at 11:40 p.m. on Wednesday but did not find anyone home. The Texas Department of Public Safety released a statement that said that state troopers were involved in a brief pursuit early Thursday morning after attempting to stop a driver, later identified as Kneeland, for a traffic violation. The DPS state troopers said they lost sight of the vehicle and the pursuit was later terminated, but found the vehicle later abandoned after a crash not far from the Cowboys’ team headquarters in Frisco. After a search of the immediate area, police said they found Kneeland deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Cowboys released a statement following the news of Kneeland: “It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning,” a Cowboys statement read Thursday morning. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.” Kneeland scored his first NFL touchdown earlier this week in a loss against the Arizona Cardinals, scooping up a blocked punt in the end zone on Monday Night Football. Kneeland finished his five-year career at WMU with 149 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and three forced fumbles across 38 games. He was also an all-state standout at Wyoming Godwin Heights before his time at WMU. If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance, the following resources are available: The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a trained listener, call 988. Visit 988lifeline.org for crisis chat services or for more information.
